Welcome to the January set of instructions for the Malted Mystery Quilt!
Happy New Year!! The Malted Mystery Quilt is a free quilt-along that runs from July 2023 through May 2024 with a set of directions revealed the first Thursday of every month. Be sure to join the Facebook Group to share your progress or share on social media using #MaltedMysteryQuilt.
I am working on a new delivery system for the monthly pattern parts and I would love your feedback. I am testing using my shop to host the free download.
If you have a minute, could you test out this option for me and let me know how you like it? (and if you find having the instructions as a blog post is useful or just having the pdf is better). Thanks!
Eight-Point Blocks
There is plenty of time to join in on the quilt along, instructions are published monthly. You can find all of the information about the Malted Mystery, including schedule, past instructions, links to the Facebook group, sneak peek, and more in the Main Malted Mystery Quilt Page.
January's instructions finally use Fabric D and you should start to see how the quilt top might start to come together :)
Easy to Print PDF Instructions
You can find the easy to print version of the January instructions right here:
New Download Option
If you have a minute, could you test out this option for me and let me know how you like it? (and if you find having the instructions as a blog post is useful or just having the pdf is better). Thanks!
Combine the following pieces to make eight-point blocks 8 ½" x 8 ½".
1. Arrange the following units and pieces according to the illustration.
4 bg/B flying geese units 2 ½" x 4 ½"
1 bg square 4 1/2" x 4 ½"
4 bg square 2 ½" x 2 ½"
2. Sew together the pieces into rows, then sew the rows together, pressing the seams open or following the arrows, to make a B eight-point block 8 ½" x 8 ½".
3. Repeat to make a total of 4 B eight-point blocks.
4. Repeat steps 1-2 using bg/C flying geese to make a total of 4 C eight-point blocks.
Quilt Top Assembly
CENTER SECTION
The sister block (made back in September) should measure 10 ½" x 10 ½". If the block is too small or too large, you can alter the size of the plain border.
For example, if the sister block measures 10" x 10" (so about ½" too small), then you can cut either the bg strips at 2" instead of 1 ½" to gain the ½" back into the quilt.
1. Cut 2 bg strips 1 ½".
a. Trim 1 strip into 2 pieces 1 ½" x 10 ½".
b. Trim 1 strip into 2 pieces 1 ½" x 12 ½".
2. Sew a bg piece 1 ½" x 10 ½" onto each side of the sister block 10 ½" x 10 ½", then sew a bg piece 1 ½" x 12 ½" onto the top and bottom (pressing all seams open or towards the bg pieces) to make a center block 12 ½" x 12 ½".
3. Sew together the following blocks, pressing the seams open or away from the fourth block to make a side row 6 ½" x 12 ½".
1 second block 4 ½" x 6 ½"
1 third block 4 ½" x 6 ½"
1 fourth block 4 ½" x 6 ½"
4. Repeat to make a total of 2 side rows.
5. Sew together the following blocks, pressing the seams open or away from the second and third blocks to make a top/bottom row 6 ½" x 24 ½".
2 first blocks 6 ½" x 6 ½"
1 second block 4 ½" x 6 ½"
1 third block 4 ½" x 6 ½"
1 fourth block 4 ½" x 6 ½"
6. Repeat to make a total of 2 top/bottom rows.
7. Sew a side row 6 ½" x 12 ½" onto either side of the center block 12 ½" x 12 ½".
8. Sew a top/bottom row 6 ½" x 24 ½" onto the unit from step 5 to make a center section 24 ½" x 24 ½".
FIRST PLAIN BORDER SECTION
The center of the medallion quilt should measure 24 ½" x 24 ½". If the center section is too small or too large, you can alter the size of the first and/or second plain borders.
For example, if the center section measures 24" x 24" (so about ½" too small), then you can cut either the bg strips or the fabric D strips at 2" instead of 1 ½" to gain the ½" back into the quilt.
1. Cut 4 bg strips 1 ½" x WOF.
a. Trim 2 strips to 1 ½" x 24 ½".
b. Trim 2 strips to 1 ½" x 26 ½".
2. Sew a bg strip 1 ½" x 24 ½" onto each side of the center section, then sew a bg strip 1 ½" x 26 ½" onto the top and bottom, pressing all seams open or towards the bg strips.
3. Cut 4 fabric D strips 1 ½" x WOF.
a. Trim 2 strips to 1 ½" x 26 ½".
b. Trim 2 strips to 1 ½" x 28 ½".
4. Sew a fabric D strip 1 ½" x 26 ½" onto each side of the center section, then sew a fabric D strip 1 ½" x 28 ½" onto the top and bottom, pressing all seams open or towards the fabric D strips.
The quilt top, after the first plain border section is added, should measure 28 ½" x 28 ½".
Many thanks to the generous sponsors of the Malted Mystery Quilt!
Many thanks to our generous sponsors!
Any questions? Leave them in a comment below or post them to our Facebook group page. I look forward to seeing everyone's cut fabrics. The next set of instructions will be published on the first Thursday of February, the 1st.
Hi Cheryl - using the download link works just fine for me, going through the shop. I prefer to have a hard copy of the steps as I piece during the day(s) when I have a few minutes to do so. Thank you for the Mystery Quilts - I've participated for several years now and love them!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to see how some of the bits and pieces are fitting together! I tried the new download method, it worked fine. From a user perspective it's more steps then just downloading the pdf from Google Drive. It does mean I have to provide more personal information then the simple download, there are many quilters that aren't comfortable with that. I prefer the option to download from Google Drive, but I also get that if you exceed a minimum storage amount there are fees. As you do these mysteries for free, using the lost cost option makes the most sense for you. As far as the instructions being on the blog, I do enjoy scrolling through the blog to see what this month's steps are without having to open the PDF as I'm not always on a device I can download and open the PDF immediately. But I have a printed copy of the PDF that I use at the machine. I guess it might be different if you use an electronic device to reference the pattern while working. My 2 cents, hope it's helpful.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything Kate has said and I am one of those that don't like putting all the required personal information.
DeleteHi Cheryl! I always print your instructions from the Easy to Print PDF. Your instructions are always so simply put, easy to read and follow. The steps to print the PDF is quick and simple. I went through your shop today to get the instructions, many more steps but it was fine. It was smooth and easy, just more steps. Thank you for all you do! I love making your MMMysteries!!
ReplyDeleteI like having all the links together as I usually work off my phone screen and don't print the clues at all. I can see both links from this page but when I try to download the printable PDF I can't open it on my phone. I don't currently get the newsletter but for your mysteries I would if necessary. Generally a free pattern that requires an email address is a hard no for me and I find something else.
ReplyDeleteMelanie McLaughlin
I prefer the pdf, as I do not like to give out my mobile phone number online. Thanks for offering mystery quilts. I hope to make one in the future.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I prefer the download link, rather than the extra steps with ShopPay
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ReplyDeleteI am really enjoying this! I prefer the easy print option. I can also save a pdf copy with a click.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the option of clicking on a link to download the PDF. But it's YOUR show and you're doing this on your own time, so do whatever works for you and we'll all adjust. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl! I just downloaded the January instructions. The new instructions are a bit more involved, the old much easier. Thank you for sharing this beautiful quilt along design! What fun! I will continue to follow no matter what your decision is!
ReplyDeleteI prefer the Pdf. It's quicker and I don't have to go back and forth to retrieve the instructions. Either way works though just as long as I can get the instructions.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the blog post, I don't much like the "add to cart, etc". I print off the monthly instructions to use as I go. I'm probably too old school but that's me.
ReplyDeleteI also-prefer the direct download NOT the extra steps required in the one thhru shop. I do appreciate your mysery quilts!
ReplyDeleteI think offering the free downloads of the Mystery Quilts is quite generous and I say offer the method of download that is easiest for you. We can adjust to the method and both methods offered are simple. Thank you! Sheila
ReplyDeleteI love your generosity with your mystery quilts and thank you very much for your efforts. I do have worries about entering personal information as I don't know what the internet does with them. It's never a good idea to leave home addresses etc "out in the wild". I will continue to appreciate your generosity and participate in your mystery quilts should you change, but I'd really like to know about the privacy of information going with the website. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year and thanks for sharing your talents with us. I find either works for me. I have used the through-the-shop method for other bloggers and didn't have to leave my address for the process. Both methods were quite simple and as the majority said make it easy for yourself.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to add that the new method generates a lot more emails which I don't need.
ReplyDeleteHi, ether way works for me. And what a lot of people don't know is if there is one something in the space it will work, so if just getting the free item they do and not have to give all of their info, just an initial or number will let it go thru.
ReplyDeleteSo, do what is easiest and most cost effective for you. We will adapt.
Thank you for doing the Mysteries. I enjoy doing them and helps' me use my stash. lol
Shirley
I prefer the download link in the email. Going through the store works but it takes longer.
ReplyDeleteHow do you get the block that started in July of 23 and the continued ones up until Jan. of 2024? Thanks! 🙂
ReplyDeleteThanks for the latest step on another great mystery! I prefer to print the instructions from the blog post. Less steps, doesn't involve personal information and not required to download.
ReplyDeleteI tried both methods and they worked smoothly, but the Easy to Print PDF is nicer since it has fewer steps to download.
ReplyDeleteI really prefer the pdf, but I think it is up to you...at no time would I want you to incur extra costs because I prefer not to constantly put my information out there. If I choose to do a quilt along, then I choose to give my information. If I don't want to give my information, then I can't expect a beautiful free quilt pattern in return, can I! LOL I love your quilt alongs, whatever works better for you is fine by me!
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl, I prefer the old way (Easy to Print) because it's faster to do.
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl I prefer to download from the link in your blog. I print the PDF and keep them in a folder until I'm ready to sew it as I'm not keeping up month by month.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, thank you so much for your generosity in sharing your pattern and talent for the mystery quilt. That is so kind of you, and I appreciate it. Both methods are fine, although I prefer the easy print PDF, but do what is easiest and more economical for you, and also what saves time for you. Time is precious. Thank you for your time in putting these mystery quilts together and sharing them with us. Have a very blessed new year.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cheryl & I too like the old easy to print PDF. I struggle with too much new technology. I'm loving this Mystery QAL & look forward to seeing what everyone has done eventually. Take care & hugs.
ReplyDeletePdf vs Google Doc Download - Both work now that I figured out that I *have* to use Chrome to download the google document or else the formatting goes wonky. (that took a while - I generally use Firefox and it wasn't playing nice) The new system has the advantage for you of collecting information on who is using the patterns. If it were my business I'd go the new way if it's not awful on your end.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, Did I miss a clue somewhere? In step 3.you state a second, third,and fourth block…when were they assembled?
ReplyDeleteThe new method worked just fine for me, but as others mentioned, it is more steps and clicks, but nothing that would deter me from participating if this were the only option. I like reading the blog but like having a PDF downloaded better. If I had only one choice, I'd take the PDF any way I could get it.
ReplyDeleteAgain as others have said, since you are kind enough to do this for free, you pick the method that works best for you.
Thanks for this amazing quilt Cheryl.
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